The snoring condition has been known to cause a great deal of friction within a marriage and the burden it levels on the snorer and his/her spouse is undeniable. Drastic steps like sleeping in separate bedrooms have been taken by couples to reduce the aggravation that the condition brings about. Snoring is undoubtedly a prevalent disorder that is experienced by individuals of all ages and a large number of people will snore occasionally without realizing it. Statistics show that 80% of men, and 60% of women will snore occassionally. This statistic shatters all perceptions of snoring been a male orientated problem.
In most cases an episode of snoring is completely harmless but certain instances of the condition can be serious. The most serious form of snoring which is known as Sleep Apnea is the most dangerous – to the point of being life threatening. The affected individual stops breathing while asleep or nearly stops breathing, which reduces the levels of oxygen intake. The snorer who is suffering from Sleep Apnea will wake up numerous times during the night to enable himself/herself to begin breathing normally, but the memory of waking-up isn’t apparent as it becomes a “normal sleep cycle” for the individual. Heavy snoring is a symptom of Sleep Apnea but snoring in itself isn’t the cause of Sleep Apnea.
To be diagnosed with this condition one will have to undergo a Sleep Study, where an ENT specialist will examine your breathing while alseep and he/she will then be able to make a correct diagnoses which will be followed by a treatment plan that will involve a CPAP machine in most cases.
However, one should not become terrified by a bout of snoring as most snoring conditions are not as serious as Sleep Apnea, but the overall affect on the snorer and the snorer’s spouse can become burdensome regardless of the nature or the intensity of the snoring pattern.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring is a misunderstood condition where people believe the sound a snorer emits originates from the nasal cavities. This notion is untrue as the problem is directly related to the anatomy of the throat, the airways and the soft palate. The snoring sound originates from within the throat as a result of blockages caused by the relaxation of tissues that obstruct the airway, but the nasal structure, blockages and deformities thereof can contribute to snoring.
The most common causes of snoring are as follows:
- Internal Structure of the Mouth: the anatomy of your mouth can play role in snoring. A thick or low soft palate, enlarged tissues or tonsils at the back of the throat, and even a naturally narrow airway can obstruct your breathing and cause you to snore.
- Age: age is significant factor attributed to snoring. People who have never snored in their life can suddenly develop the problem when they reach their 40’s and sometimes even younger. The tissues in the throat can also lose elasticity and muscle tone as you age and this can result in the onset of the problem.
- Weight: being overweight or obese will result in poor muscle tone and a general increase in fatty tissue which will obstruct the airways.
- Alcohol, Smoking and Medications: these substances will impact the throat by relaxing the muscles which can lead to snoring.
- Body Position: sleeping on your back can obstruct airflow which can cause an individual to snore.
- Nasal Allergies or Deformities: sinus problems, issues with the nasal septum or other nasal structures can cause a nasal blockage which interferes with nasal airflow into the lungs.
Snoring Solutions
Once you are aware of precisely what is causing you to snore, you can then begin treatment to help you stop snoring. There are various practical treatments and aids at your disposal.
The first step and the most practical step is to try out the various home remedies to stop snoring. This will involve getting into shape and losing weight if your Body Mass Index is over the acceptable range. You will also be advised to quit smoking and drinking to aide in the treatment process. Home Remedies are more effective in treating light cases of snoring that are brought about by anxiety, nasal congestion or dryness in the throat, but the potency of home remedies to treat snoring should not be ignored as this approach can help minimize the severity of the condition considerably.
There are also various exercises that can be preformed to help with the condition and you can even try the “tennis ball” trick which involves strapping a tennis ball to your lower back. This particular method will stop you from lying on your back while asleep and it will induce the habit of sleeping on your side.
If the practical measures do not alleviate or eradicate the problem you will then have to try out one or more of the many stop snoring devices. The devices available are broad and the underlying cause of your snoring will determine which device is most appropriate for you.
There are many anti-snoring devices on the current market and they include the following:
- stop snoring mouthpiece
- stop snoring pillow
- stop snoring chin strap
- stop snoring spray
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Machine
For a detailed overview of the most effective stop snoring solutions that are available online visit this page: stop snoring products
Coping With a Snorer
Snoring can have debilitating affects on the person who snores but the impact on the snorer’s spouse or partner can also be as burdensome. Loss of sleep due to the loud sound of snoring is inevitable and the negative factors attributed to the condition on the one who has to sleep with a snorer is significant. If you are in a position were you are beginning to feel the pressure of sleeping with a snorer you can take solace in the fact that there are ways for you to cope:
The use of sleeping ear-plugs have helped many individuals rest easy at night. The ear-plugs can help reduce the level of noise in the bedroom considerably which will enable you to attain a more restful sleep without being disturbed by the incessant snoring noise.
Secondly, you will have to grasp that snoring is a medical condition like any other and it will need to be treated in order for it to be solved. Very often an element of resentment toward the snorer can develop unwittingly because of the burden it levels on you. Always remember that your loved one is suffering from a medical ailment that is experienced by millions of people across the globe.
It is vital for you to support your partner and to urge him/her to seek treatment. The pressures of this condition do not have to be as forceful as they are and for this reason we do not recommend that husband and wife sleep in separate bedrooms as a counter measure to the snoring condition.
Treatments to eradicate snoring from your life or your partners do exist, and searching the internet for ways to quit snoring provides the education and the knowledge toward effectively treating your snoring problem, but since snoring is a medical condition, it will be advisable for you to consult an ENT specialist before you decide to use any of the devices available as a specialist will be able to accurately diagnose the type of snorer you are, and this will enable him/her to administer the correct treatment.
However the FDA have cleared various products of late and one can find a suitable treatment option online. Many of these devices have undergone rigorous testing by the FDA and they have been cleared as safe and beneficial.
